La Rochelle centre Levani Botia has been named to captain the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians team that will face France in their first Autumn Nations Cup this Monday.
Star player, Semi Radradra is not in the team list and French bi-weekly rugby newspaper, Midi Olympique is reporting Radradra tested positive for COVID-19.
Head Coach Vern Cotter says while there are so many players who will earn their first cap for the Flying Fijians, experienced players like Peni Ravai, Sam Matavesi, Albert Tuisue, Ben Volavola and Botia will be there to support them in the field.
Cotter has maintained the halves combination of Frank Lomani and Ben Volavola and Nemani Nadolo returns on the left-wing and will be assisting Volavola with the kicking. Josua Tuisova will be on the right-wing while Waisea Nayacalevu and Botia will control the midfield and full-back Kini Murimurivalu will guide the team from the back.
Nine players will earn their first-cap for the Flying Fijians including number eight Johnny Dyer and flankers Mesulame Kunavula and Kitione Kamikamica who have been named in the starting line-up.
Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hatet, Samuela Tawake, Temo Manayavanua, Manueli Ratuniyarawa and Simione Kuruvoli will make their debut from the bench.
Cotter says all the COVID-19 challenges since the team assembled has not dampened the spirit of the players, who returned to full training this week.
Cotter says it is an exciting blend of experience and young players who want to establish themselves as Flying Fijians.
He says the young players in the forwards are expected to be guided by the experienced players who have been in the Flying Fijians system for some time now.
Cotter says Botia brings in a lot of experience to the game and he is a very good leader on and off the field plus the younger players look up to him as a role model. Meanwhile, Fiji Rugby Union has confirmed that tests conducted have returned with a positive case of COVID-19 and the concerned player had previously tested negative before joining pre-camp and while in pre-camp and has so far shown no symptoms.
Fiji Rugby CEO John O’Connor confirmed this morning that as part of the COVID-19 tournament protocols, the player has been isolated and is being monitored by their medical team. He says despite the results, the player is doing well and continues to be positive and they are confident that the player will be cleared when the next test results are received. O’Connor has also confirmed that the team as per tournament COVID-19 protocols have gone through their final test before the test match and are awaiting the results.
After the opening match against France, the Flying Fijians face Italy on 21st of November and Scotland on 29th of November.
The Flying Fijians will face France at 3.15am Monday.
Flying Fijians team vs France 1. Peni Ravai 2. Sam Matavesi 3. Mesake Doge 4. Tevita Ratuva 5. Albert Tuisue 6. Mesulame Kunavula 7. Kitione Kamikamica 8. Johnny Dyer 9. Frank Lomani 10. Ben Volavola 11. Nemani Nadolo 12. Levani Botia (C) 13. Waisea Nayacalevu 14. Josua Tuisova 15. Kini Murimurivalu Reserves 16. Tevita Ikanivere 17. Haereiti Hetet 18. Samuela Tawake 19. Temo Mayanavanua 20. Manueli Ratuniyarawa 21. Simione Kuruvoli 22. Serupepeli Vularika 23. Setareki Tuicuvu
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